The Legislature finds and declares that faith-based programs offered in state and private correctional institutions and facilities have the potential to facilitate inmate institutional adjustment, to help inmates assume personal responsibility, and to reduce recidivism. It is the intent of the Legislature that the Department of Corrections and private vendors operating private correctional facilities work towards ensuring the availability and development of such programs at the correctional institutions and facilities of this state and shall continuously:

1. 1. Measure recidivism rates for all inmates participating in faith-based or religious programs at the correctional institution or facility;
2. 2. Work with volunteers ministering to inmates from various faith-based institutions in this state to improve the quality of faith-based programs at the correctional institution or facility;
3. 3. Continue to develop community linkages with churches, synagogues, mosques, and other faith-based institutions to assist in the release of participants into the community; and
4. 4. Monitor faith-based programs operating in the correctional institution or facility.

Laws 2003, SB 706, c. 346, § 3, emerg. eff. May 29, 2003.